Asked during a May 14 news conference why Bellator had not yet
signed the highly regarded free agent, Rebney cited a “lack of
willingness” on the part of Khalidov’s management to work with his
promotion, as well as a need to “explain to them what the
opportunity is.”

Speaking to Sherdog.com this week, Khalidov was quick to assert
that the breakdown in negotiations was not due to the unwillingness
of his management but rather Khalidov’s own priorities outside the
cage.

“Ultimately, the next middleweight tournament begins in September
and I, because I’m Muslim, have to fast for the length of August,”
said Khalidov, referring to the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which
in 2011 will be observed Aug. 1-29. During that period, Muslims are
prohibited from eating or drinking from sunrise to sunset, an
obvious impediment to MMA training.

“I don’t train at all during this period, and there’s no way I
could fight as early as September,” explained the Chechen-born
fighter. “I need at least two months to prepare and, for me, the
fasting is more important than fights in Bellator or even [Polish
promotion
Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki].”

Coping with Ramadan has not been easy for professional athletes
worldwide. In order to allow sportsmen to observe their religious
ritual, competitions in Muslim countries take place after sundown
during this month. In 2010, at the request of Germany’s Central
Council of Muslims, Islamic scholars from Al-Azhar University in
Cairo issued a fatwa exempting athletes from the strict fasting
rules.

“I’m still interested in Bellator, definitely. Just not in
September,” surmised Khalidov, who, along with managers Maciej
Kawulski and Martin Lewandowski, maintains that he made his own
decision in the matter.

While the fighter himself responded to Rebney’s comments in a
level-headed manner, tempers flared up more with his management.
Kawulski accused Bellator of not releasing Polish lightweight
Marcin
Held to take part in KSW
16 on May 21, while Lewandowski blamed the failure of
negotiations on the American promotion only recently announcing the
date for its September tournament.